Run one of the world’s most scenic marathon courses, taking in some of Sydney’s most spectacular and historic landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. In addition, the Sydney Marathon has been announced as a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM). If running across one …
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Run one of the world’s most scenic marathon courses, taking in some of Sydney’s most spectacular and historic landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. In addition, the Sydney Marathon has been announced as a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM).
If running across one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks is on your bucket list, then this is the event for you. The run that is fun for everyone with a distance for beginners to experienced runners. Choose from the Sydney Marathon, Sydney Marathon 21.1k (formerly the Half Marathon), Sydney Marathon 10k (formerly the Bridge Run) and Sydney Marathon Family Run 3.5k for a truly unforgettable experience. A challenging and memorable run with 3 of the 4 distances finishing at the Sydney Opera House.
The only running event in Australia to be broadcast live each year, the Sydney Marathon boasts over 40,000 participants from over 66 countries and has raised over $23 million dollars for charitable organisations since its inception.
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Very scenic but not designed or run well
Numerous out and back with 180 degree turns orange cones that slows the overall pace and results in many people cheating by short cutting the cones. The course goes over … MORE
Numerous out and back with 180 degree turns orange cones that slows the overall pace and results in many people cheating by short cutting the cones. The course goes over numerous curbs, which is not ideal. Zero nutrition at the race finish, only water. Minimal spectators on the course. This race is immature and not professional relative to Berlin, New York, Chicago, Boston, London, California International, et al.
Most beautiful run
Running over the bridge was the least impressive part. Most beautiful run I have ever had. Swag, expo, and finish line refreshments are an American phenomenon, don’t expect the same … MORE
Running over the bridge was the least impressive part. Most beautiful run I have ever had. Swag, expo, and finish line refreshments are an American phenomenon, don’t expect the same here. Only down side was that I was enjoying the scenery so much I was on an easy run. Could have run faster and the finish line was a surprise with plenty of gas still in the tank.
Lots of switch backs
The weather in Sydney around the race event is usually good for running with sunny and mild temperatures. Public transport to the event makes getting to the start line easy … MORE
The weather in Sydney around the race event is usually good for running with sunny and mild temperatures. Public transport to the event makes getting to the start line easy and entrants receiving free travel on the day. The expo/race swag is very basic don’t expect much more than receiving your bib number. The course itself starts at the harbour bridge and finishes at the Sydney Opera house two iconic sites which show off Sydney to its best. Unfortunately there are a LOT of switch backs on the course that I didn’t enjoy. The course spends a lot of distance in Centennial Park switching back and forth. In the last kms of the race it switches back again sending you onto a section of motorway when you are nearly within eyesight of the finish.
The drink stations were well run but I felt there could have been more. Spectators and entertainment were sparse, really only at the end there were a few spectators cheering on their loved ones.
There was no food offered at the end of the race, which really surprised me, I was only offered a water bottle. This definitely needs to change. I’ve run seven marathons and this was the first time no food/bananas or recovery drink had been offered. I received a finishers shirt and medal. Overall Sydney is a great location for an event like this but felt this was an expensive Marathon to enter and didn’t stack up in terms of generosity and support to other events I’ve run.
Stunning Sydney city harbour run
A very well organsied event. Stunning route traversing the harbour bridge, through the city, parks and back to numerous quays around Syndey harbour and ending at the Opera House. Starting … MORE
A very well organsied event. Stunning route traversing the harbour bridge, through the city, parks and back to numerous quays around Syndey harbour and ending at the Opera House. Starting at about eight defgrees and rising to 14 through the run.
Scenic course
The Sydney half marathon was the first half and oversea race for me. Having done a few full marathons, I thought this would be a walk in the park and … MORE
The Sydney half marathon was the first half and oversea race for me. Having done a few full marathons, I thought this would be a walk in the park and boy was I wrong. Did not expect so many inclines for this race because I was previously under the assumption that this course was relatively flat. Weather was perfect with little to no wind and lots of sunshine. There wasn’t much entertainment on course, but the scenery more than made up for it. The city made a very good effort to turn this into a good experience for runners by ceasing all traffic on the Sydney Harbor Bridge during the run (unlike another race I’ve done where they’ve only allocated a few lanes for the runners on the bridge while cars were zooming by you on the other side) and free transportation for the entire day with show of bib during race day. Finishing at the Opera House was absolutely stunning and made this a very memorable experience for me. I hope to be back for the full next time when I visit again!
On a side note, there wasn’t much swag as half marathoners didn’t get a finisher shirt, but I can’t complain much since we still got a leg massage post race in the recovery village (long wait though)!
Sydney's most scenic run
I have had this run on my bucket list for about 6 years... in fact it was going to be the first half-marathon I would run, but fate had other … MORE
I have had this run on my bucket list for about 6 years… in fact it was going to be the first half-marathon I would run, but fate had other ideas and it was my 11th.
The weather this year was perfect, overcast, cool but not cold and the occasional breeze. The tradeoff for these perfect conditions was that Sydney was not it’s dazzlingly beautiful sunny self but I’ll take a comfy run any day.
The course itself was less hilly that I was expecting with the hardest of the uphills in the first 2ks up to the centre of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is the one morning per year the bridge is closed to traffic so it’s pretty special. The course weaves around city streets, makes a quick detour into Hyde Park before heading out past Darling Harbour into Pyrmont where you turn around and head back though Darling Harbour then through the new scenic Barangaroo Precinct before coming back under the harbour bridge glimpsing the finish line from the Overseas Passenger Terminal. From there it’s and easy 1k around Circular Quay and to the finish line at the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
In terms of swag there is a measly bottle of water, and medal and a newspaper at the finish line. You could pre-order post race meals in the botanical gardens for crazy prices. At registration you can order at race day singlet for the cost of postage ($6.50) it’s ok quality. You also get free public transport on the day.
I registered late at a cost of $120 so it’s an expensive run, but I guess that’s what you pay for the opportunity to run over the main deck of the Harbour Bridge, around an major city finishing at the Opera House.